Late goal gives Arsenal EPL thriller win

The 28-year-old watched from the stands as Olivier Giroud's late header earned the Gunners three points.

Super-sub Olivier Giroud struck a late victor as Arsenal came from behind to beat Leicester in an unforgettable opening Premier League match.

The Frenchman, who has been at the club since 1996, has been given a chance to turn things around despite calls for his head from disgruntled Arsenal fans waiting for a first league title under his stewardship since he led them to the crown in 2004.

Olivier Giroud came off the bench to head a late victor after Aaron Ramsey had brought Arsenal level at 3-3 following a Jamie Vardy double for the visitors.

Instead, Wenger avoided a third consecutive season-opening loss at the start of his new two-year contract.

"I opened the door for him at some stage as it's important for him to play but I don't want him to go", Wenger said at the post-match news conference.

Many observers may have thought Giroud's days at Arsenal were numbered following the arrival of fellow France striker Lacazette from Lyon for a club-record £46.5m fee.

Manager Arsene Wenger this week revealed that he gave the player the option of leaving, but that he chose to fight for his place.

"Not only as a player, he is a fantastic player, but as well in the group. He has a big weight in this squad and it was a relief for me that he chose to stay".

Despite only starting 17 games last season in all competitions, Giroud still scored 16 times - including an eye-catching scorpion-style kick against Crystal Palace.

"I felt that to lose tonight would have been bad for us because we had such good preparation and to sit there in the morning and think we had lost at home would have been awful", he said. "Overall I must say we kept going and the spirit of the team was absolutely outstanding and overall you could say as well we were punished on every single mistake tonight by a Leicester team who was very efficient going forward", Wenger said after the win, as quoted on Arsenal's official site.